Clutch.



PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.

G. A. STURTEVANT.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l IL I al Y M w. y/ my @QvZ/ my 3 at RNB PATENTED JULY 31, 19 06.

0. A. STURTEVANT.

GLUTOEL APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18. 1904. RENEWED 0013.24, 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Q a h PATENTED JULYJSI, 1906.

C. A. STURTEVANT.

CLUTCH. APPLICATION TILED JAN. 18, 1904. RENEWED OCT. 24, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Ill-DI.

IIWNIII 2-. 1 ,v R U Q MXL UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE.

CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1906.

Application filed Tannery 18, 1904. Renewed October 24, 1905. Serial No.284,130,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. STURTE- VANT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of NewJersey, have invented an Improvement in Clutches, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to devices adapted for transmitting power from aprime mover to a device to be actuated, and which devices are entirelyunder the control of an operator. These devices are particularly adaptedto engage, actuate, and disengage mechanism interposed or between theprime mover and the device to be driven, and the same are particularlyapplicable to power-driven road-vehicles and the like.

My invention essentially comprises a leverwedge, a movable member, and asplit sleeve intermediate of a prime-mover shaft anda device to beactuated. The lever-wedge is provided with oppositely-inclined edges inopposite sets and an intermediate fulcrum. These edges simultaneouslyact upon parts of a split sleeve which in its opposite faces is providedwith similar inclined edges, the said action spreading the sleeve andcausing the same to bind upon an outside part.

In the initial position and movement the shaft of the prime mover andthe split sleeve turn together with the lever-wedge inside the part thatmay be and is to be actuated. When the split sleeve is expanded, iteXteriorly grips the interior of the part to be driven and the parts areat once coupled by the split sleeve and lever-wedge and all turntogether.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and partialelevation of devices constituting the simpler form of my invention. 4

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the device to be actuated removed.Fig. 3 is a crosssection and partial elevation at the dotted line 90 asof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a crosssection at the dotted line g y of Fig. 1,and Fig. 5 is a side view of the lever-wedge device shown in thesefigures. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section and partial elevation ofdevices comprising the preferred form of my invention. Fig. 7 is a planand partial horizontal section of the parts shown in Fig. 6 and with thedevice to be actuated removed. Fig. 8 is an inverted plan of the partsshown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a cross-section at the dotted line as x ofFig. 6, and Fig. 10 is a cross-section at the dotted line y y of Fig. 6.Fig. 11 is a side elevation and partial vertical section, and Fig. 12

is a cross-section at the dotted line z 2 of Fig. 11, said figuresshowing a form of my invention similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 to5, inclusive, but in which the parts are double and divided. Fig. 13 isaplan of aform of split sleeve; and Fig. 14, a cross-section at z z ofFig.13, representing the said split sleeve and parts associatedtherewith similar to the parts shown in Fig. 12, but showing that threedivisional parts instead of one or two may be employed. Fig. 15 is apartial plan of a form of split sleeve similar to that shown in Figs. 1to 4, inclusive, but with the inclined surfaces reversed. Fig. 16 isaplan of the end of a lever-wedge with inclines suitable for the sleeve,Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a partial vertical section and elevation of the endof the wedge, Fig. 16 showing a device for operating the same. Fig. 18is a partial elevation showing a means for operating the leverwedge, andFig. 19 is a partial elevation and longitudinal section showing stillanother form of my invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, on sheet one of the drawings,a represents a prime-mover shaft-that is to say, a shaft which isrotated by a prime mover of any desired character. I) is a device to beactuated, which also may be of any desired character, but is here shownas part of a pulley or wheel. 0 represents a lever-wedge; d, a movablemember in the shape of a conical sleeve surrounding the shaft a andhaving a groove engaged by a part of an arm 2, the movement of which armis adapted to slide the said movable member d in opposite directionsalong the shaft. 6 represents a split sleeve within the tubular bearingportion of the device or pulley b to be driven. This split sleevesurrounds a sleeve f, on one end of which is a flange 3, the said sleevebeing in part out through for the base of the lever-wedge c. This sleevef is secured to the prime-mover shaft 0, by a screw-pin 6, and there isa collar 4 around the free or righthand end of the said sleeve f, and ascrew-pin 7 connects this collar 4 to the said sleeve, holding betweenthe flange 3 of the collar and the collar 4 at the other end of thesleeve f the split sleeve 6 and the tubular part of the device or pulleyto be driven or actuated. The split sleeve 6 and the sleeve f areconnected by a spline 5, placed between the parts at a point opposite tothe place where the sleeve 6 is split and employed to keep the two partsfrom turning with respect to each other. The lever-wedge c is formedwith oppositely-insame is adapted to bear against the conical part oradvancing end of the movable mem-,

er d. When there is no engagement between the conical part of themovable member d. and the free end of the lever-wedge c, or, in otherwords, when this free edge may rest upon the surface of the prime-movershaft a, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the lever-wedge 0 maybe considered as substantially free or loose in the split sleeve e, inwhich position the prime-mover shaft 0!. may revolve and turn with itthe sleeve f, the split sleeve 6, the flange 3, the collar 4, and thelever-wedge 0 without turning the device I) or pulley to be actuated..When the movable 1 member or conical structure (1 is moved by i arm 2into the position Figsvl and 2, this free end of the lever is raised,and the lever is "slightly rocked on the fulcrum between the sets ofoppositely-inclined edges, thus raising the edges 8 against the'edges ofthe split sleeve,-(see Fig. 4,) and depressing the edges 9 against theedges of the split sleeve, (see Fig. 3,) and thus tending to expand thesleeve, so that the same may grip the inner surface of the device orpulley b to be actuated. With the further movement of themovable conicalmember at to the right the free end of the lever wedge c is caused torideup the second conical surface onto the flat portion of this movablemember, thus raising the edges 8 and de-.

pressing the edges 9 and expanding the split sleeve to its limit, wherea very firm gripping hold of this split sleeve e is had upon the innersurface of the pulley device I) to be actuated, so as to cause the sameto turn with the aforesaid rotating parts to communicate the power ofthe prime-mover shaft to the pulley device I) to be utilized. Thispulley b, or device to be actuated, may be afly-wheel in a mechanism orthe sprocket-wheel of a mechanism or a device to actuate thesprocketwheel and chain of a power-driven roadvehicle.

Referring. now to Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, the prime-mover shaft a isshown as hollow and with a longitudinal aperture or incision 10. Thedevice to be actuated is shown as a bevel-wheel and sleeve 5. In thisform of the invention 0 is the lever-wedge. (1 is a movable member inthe form of a bar within the hollow prime-mover shaft a. e is the splitexpansion-sleeve. f f are sleeves surrounding the prime-mover shaft athe sleeve f having a flange and secured to the said shaft a by a screw'pin 11, the sleeve f 2 being at an appreciable distance from the sleevef along said shaft and secured thereto by a screw-pin 12. The splitexpansion-sleeve 6 comes between the sleeves f f. It is held to theshaft a by a spline 5, and the bevelwheel device I) to be actuatedsurrounds the split expansion-sleeve e for its major portion and at itsend surrounds a portion of the sleeve f. The lever-wedge c is located'inthe aperture or-incision 10 of the shaft a. This leverwedge,c isprovided, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5,inclusive, with oppositely-inclined edges 8 and 9 in pairs or sets withthe fulcrum between the same. In this form of'the invention, however,the oppositely-inclined edges 8 are not an integral part of thelever-wedge, as in the device shown in the aforesaid figures, but theseedges are formed upon opposite sides of a loose wedge-block g, fittingbetween the parts of the split expansion-sleeve e, the said sleevehaving opposite inclined edges that correspond to the sets of edges 8 9.This wedge-block g is provided with a central screw 16, passing downthrough an interiorlythreaded opening therein and adapted at its undersurface to bear upon theupper surface of the lever-wedge c. This screw16 provides for adjusting the relation of the wedgeblock 9 to thelever-wedge 0, so as to bring the inclined edges thereof more. or lessquickly into engagement with the juxtaposed inclined edges of the splitsleeve; but I do not limit myself to the use of this screw 16. It willbe apparent that this wedge-block 9 can not get away from'its location,and while it may move slightly and longitudinally of the prime-movershaft it cannot come away on account of the opposite inclined edges, and

. the fulcrum in this device, as in the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5,remains between the sets of oppositely-inclined edges. The splitexpansion-sleeveacts outwardly against the interior of the bevel-wheelsleeve when expanded by thelever-wedge to connect the hollow prime-movershaft through this leverwedge with the bevel-wheel device I) to beactuated. To effect-this engagement, the left-hand free edge of theleverwedge c is made with a downward projection inclined in oppositedirections, and the movable member or bar (1 is provided with acam-block 13, let into but raised above the surface of said bar andwhich agrees in width with the aperture 10 of the prime-mover shaft, soas to move. longitudinally therein. This camblock is held in position bya screw 14, and I may provide an adjusting-screw 15, passing through themovable member or bar d and adapted to bear on the opposite side thereoffrom the cam-block 13, so as to raise the said bar and increase thepressure of the camblock against the beveled end of the leverwedge c. Inthe position shown in Fig. 6

this beveled free end of the lever-wedge c is in forceful contact withthe cam-block 13' and bears upon the highest point thereof. Consequentlythe oppositely-inclined edges of the said lever-wedge have beenforcefully brought into action against the opposite juxtaposed edges ofthe split exp'ansionsleeve e, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, to force thesame outward and engage the inner surface of the bevel-wheel device I)to be actuated. When this movable bar member d is drawn along in eitherdirection, so as to remove the camblock 13 from contact with thelever-wedge c, this pressure and tension are removed and the splitexpansion-sleeve e is free from contact with the device 6 to be driven,so that the prime mover a and the parts associated therewith may turnfreely within this device b to be actuated without moving the same. Itwill be apparent, especially from Figs. 7 and 8, that a maximum amountof expansibility is provided for the split sleeve 6, because the same iscircumferentially split or incised at 17 18, leaving, as will beapparent from Fig. 8, an appreciably solid portion thereof diametricallyopposite to the portion acted upon by the lever-wedge 0.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 and to the description of Figs. 1 to 5,inclusive, it will be apparent that this form of the invention is verymuch like the form described in Figs. 1 to 5, the difference mainlyconsisting in employing a divided sleeve h h in place of the sleeve f,the flange being also divided and connected by bolts 19, also inemploying a divided collar k is, connected by similar bolts 19. Eachsection or divided sleeve h h is split and prepared for the reception ofthe lever-wedges i i at opposite sides of the prime-mover shaft a. Theexpansion-sleeve e is made in two parts connected to the divided sleeveby two splines 5, that keep the parts from moving with respect to thedivided sleeve h h, and it is split or incised in two places to receivethe two lever-wedges. An object of making these parts in two pieces isso that they can be applied to a machine extant without taking the sameto pieces. The pulley b may be in one piece or be divided. This form ofthe invention is substantially the double of the form shown in Figs. 1to5. It probablypossesses the advantage of uicker and more even actionthan the simp er form of the invention, Figs. 1 to 5. Otherwise theparts entering into the structure are similarly made, similarly operatedby a movable. conical member d, and perform the same functions as thedevice described and shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a triple condition in contradistinction to thedouble condition of Figs. 11 and 12 and the single condition of Figs. 1to 5, inclusive, the expansion-sleeve Z in this being shown as split inthree parts with circumferential incisions that leave appreciably solidplaces for holding the parts of the sleeve intact.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 17, inclusive, in Fig. 15 Zrepresents anexpansion-sleeve having inclined opposite edges that are the reverse ofthose shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, Fig. 16 showing the operativeend of the lever-wedge c with oppositely-inclined edges in sets adaptedfor use in connection with the expansion-sleeve Z. Fig. 17 shows acam-collar m for operating the free end of the lever-wedge c and it willbe apparent from Figs. 15 to 1'7 that this lever-wedge must have itsfree end depressed toward the prime-mover shaft because of theinclination of the operative edges of the expansionsleeve and wedge,while in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the free end of the lever-Wedge ismoved outwardly by the conical portion of the movable member (:1.

Fig. 18 illustrates that the free end of the leverwedge 0 may be bentoutwardly and upwardly and connected by a link 20 to a sliding collar21. The movement of this collar along the shaft by any suitable device,such as the arm shown in Fig. 2, will cause the swinging of the link 20and the movement of the free bent-up end of the leverwedge for itsoperation and the expansion of the split expansion-sleeve of thestructure.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 19

the device to be driven may be in the form of a shaft 6 axially in linewith the prime mover shaft a and a stepped sleeve 0, surrounding the'uxtaposed ends of these shafts, is secured to t e shaft or device b Asleeve n, pinned to the primemover shaft and similar to the sleeve f,Fig. 1, may in this form be employed, and between this sleeve n and thelarger portion of the stepped sleeve 0 is placed the splitexpansion-sleeve e and an intermediate sleeve 22, of such material asvulcanized fiber, the said split sleeve being acted upon by alever-wedge 0 similar to those hereinbefore described for the 0011-nection of the prime-mover shaft through the intervention of thelever-wedge and the expansion-sleeve 6 with the stepped sleeve 0 forcommunicating rotary movement and power to the stepped sleeve 0 andshaft 6 to be operated.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a prime-mover shaft anda device to be actuated, of devices intermediate thereof and comprisinga rocking lever-wedge with intermediate fulcrum and with sets ofinclined edges at either side of said fulcrum, a movable member foroperating the wedge, and a split expansible sleeve actuated by thelever-wedge to connect the parts and cause them to turn in unison.

2. The combination with a prime-mover shaft and a device to be actuated,of devices intermediate thereof and comprising a rocking lever-wedgewith intermediate fulcrum and with sets of inclined edges at either sideof said fulcrum, a movable member for operating the wedge, and a splitexpansible sleeve actuated at opposite points by the lever-wedge toconnect the parts and cause them to turn in unison.

3. The combination with a prime-mover shaft and a device to be actuated,of devices intermediate thereof and comprising a leverwedge withoppositely-inclined edges in opposite sets and an intermediate fulcrum,a movable member for o erating the wedge and a split expansible s eevehaving juxtaposed and contacting inclined edges coinciding with theoppositely-inclined edges of the lever-wedge and actuated by thelever-wedge to connect the parts and cause them to turn in 11I11SOI1.

4. The combination with the prime-mover shaft and a device to beactuated, of a leverwedge having oppositely-inclined ed es in oppositesets and an intermediate fu crum and a free end prolongation, a movablemember and means for actuating the same to bring said movable memberinto forceful'relation with the free end of the lever-wedge to cause themovement thereof, and a split expansible' sleeve having oppositelyinclined edges in opposite sets in juxtaposed relation and contact withthe oppositely-inclined edges of the lever-wedge, and said splitexpansible sleeve located within the device to be actuated and when exanded coming into internal contact therewith so as to connect the partsand cause them to turn in unison.

5. The combination with a hollow primemover shaft and a device to beactuated,

sleeves surrounding and secured to said prime mover shaft with thedevice to be actuated intermediate of'the sleeves, and said prime moverand shaft having a longitudinal aperture or incision, of a movable barmember within the tubular rime-mover shaft, a lever-wedge located in t elongitudinal aperture of the prime-mover shaft and havingoppositely-inclined edges in opposite sets and an intermediate fulcrum,a split expansible' sleeve surrounding the tubular prime-mover shaft anddirectly within the device to be actuated and having oppositely-inclinededges in opposite sets contacting with the oppositely-inclined edges ofthe lever-wedge, and means connected with the movable bar member foractuating the said lever-wedge to expand the sleeve and connect theparts and cause them to turn in unison.

6. The combination with a hollow primemover shaft and a device to beactuated, sleeves surrounding and secured to said prime-mover shaft withthe device to be actuated intermediate of the sleeves and saidprime-mover shaft havinga longitudinal aperture or incision, of amovable bar member within the tubular prime-mover shaft, a lever-wedgelocated in the longitudinal aperture of the prime-mover shaft and at oneend having oppositely-inclined edges forming a set, an ad ustablewedge-block in line with said end of the lever-wedge and havingoppositely-inclined edges forming an opposite set between which is anintermediate fulcrum, a split expansible sleeve surrounding the tubularprime-mover shaft and directly within the device'to be actuated andhaving oppositely-inclined edges in op osite sets contacting with theoppositely-inc ined edges at the end of the lever-wedge and theoppositely-inclined edges of said adjustable wedgeblock, and meansconnected with the movable bar member for actuating the said leverwedgeto expand the sleeve and connect the parts and cause them to turn inunison.

7. The combination with a hollow prime-- mover shaft and a device to beactuated, sleeves surrounding and secured to said prime-mover shaft withthe device to be actuated intermediate of the sleeves, and said primemover and shaft having a longitudinal aperture or incision, of a movablebar member within the tubular prime-mover shaft, a lever-wedge locatedin the longitudinal aperture of the rime-mover shaft and havingoppositely-inc ined edges in opposite sets and an intermediate fu crum,a split expansible sleeve surrounding the tubular primemover shaft anddirectly within the device to be actuated and having oppositely-inclinededges in opposite sets contacting with the oppositely-inclined edges ofthe lever-wedge, means connected with the movable bar member foractuating the said lever-wedge'to expand the sleeve and connect theparts and cause them to turn in unison, and means connected with themovable bar member for adjusting the relation of the same to the hollowprime-mover shaft providing for-the wear of the parts.

Signed by me this 14th day of January,

. CHAS. A. STURTEVANT. Witnesses:

GEO. T. PINOKNEY, S. T. HAVILAND.

